COMAND drains battery? SteveNL or others HELP!
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From: Chicago
66 230S 111.010 02 G500 463
COMAND drains battery? SteveNL or others HELP!
I need some urgent advice -
2 weeks ago my G500 started having a problem w/ a dead battery. If it sits more than a day - dead as dirt. Dealer support here in the USA isn't always the best. They did determine I have a constant drain, which I guess is better than just putting in a new battery.
Immedietly they looked at my XM radio and claimed that was the problem. I explained how it was hooked up (audio signal to the aux, DC from the cigar lighter) and that I highly doubt that was the cause. Plus I've had it for well over a year with no problems. Forget the fact that the unit (Delphi SkyFi) wasn't even IN the car! They have now ordered me a new COMAND - which is where the problem lies.
I have the TV tuner and version coding courtesy of Steve NL. My new COMAND won't work w/ my TV tuner. At this point I explained the situation and insisted that they do NOT let my original COMAND get exchanged unless the new COMAND fixes the power drain. I'm afraid they'll just swap in the new COMAND and leave it in regardless if it fixes the situation. No more TV if they do
After a long winded explanation -
Does anybody think the COMAND could possibly be causing the power draw? It works fine, doesn't appear to stay on when the car is off, nothing has changed with the set-up in the last year. I've never had a problem until 2 weeks ago and my truck regularly sits for days or weeks in sub-zero weather. Anybody else have this issue? Any tips on what else to suggest?
Steve - if I need the new COMAND version coded for TV - when will you be back in Chicago?
Thanks for the timely respones!
2 weeks ago my G500 started having a problem w/ a dead battery. If it sits more than a day - dead as dirt. Dealer support here in the USA isn't always the best. They did determine I have a constant drain, which I guess is better than just putting in a new battery.
Immedietly they looked at my XM radio and claimed that was the problem. I explained how it was hooked up (audio signal to the aux, DC from the cigar lighter) and that I highly doubt that was the cause. Plus I've had it for well over a year with no problems. Forget the fact that the unit (Delphi SkyFi) wasn't even IN the car! They have now ordered me a new COMAND - which is where the problem lies.
I have the TV tuner and version coding courtesy of Steve NL. My new COMAND won't work w/ my TV tuner. At this point I explained the situation and insisted that they do NOT let my original COMAND get exchanged unless the new COMAND fixes the power drain. I'm afraid they'll just swap in the new COMAND and leave it in regardless if it fixes the situation. No more TV if they do
After a long winded explanation -
Does anybody think the COMAND could possibly be causing the power draw? It works fine, doesn't appear to stay on when the car is off, nothing has changed with the set-up in the last year. I've never had a problem until 2 weeks ago and my truck regularly sits for days or weeks in sub-zero weather. Anybody else have this issue? Any tips on what else to suggest?
Steve - if I need the new COMAND version coded for TV - when will you be back in Chicago?
Thanks for the timely respones!
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300ce
.......it is rare that two people have the exact experience. I too have a w463 with comand and TV tuner and have battery drain problem. I too have had my Comand replaced by the dealer. It did not solve the problem. As I have come to understand it. Mb's have a 15AMP circuit that is switched and a 30AMP circuit that is constantly on. The wiring harness for the Tv tuner draws current from the 30AMP circuit from the Comand. The Comand turns off when you switch off your car because of the 15circuit that goes to it also. The TV tuner stays on. As I have come to understand, it is the TV tuner that is draining your battery, not the Comand. Problem is that the Tv tuner needs to be on when you turn your car on, before the comand comes on.............otherwise, it will not be recognized by the comand. I am sure this not the complete explanation, but that is what I understand so far. Still not sure why the exact same set upo in my CLK has no issues.
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
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From: Chicago
66 230S 111.010 02 G500 463
Originally Posted by Ted Baldwin
.......it is rare that two people have the exact experience. I too have a w463 with comand and TV tuner and have battery drain problem. I too have had my Comand replaced by the dealer. It did not solve the problem. As I have come to understand it. Mb's have a 15AMP circuit that is switched and a 30AMP circuit that is constantly on. The wiring harness for the Tv tuner draws current from the 30AMP circuit from the Comand. The Comand turns off when you switch off your car because of the 15circuit that goes to it also. The TV tuner stays on. As I have come to understand, it is the TV tuner that is draining your battery, not the Comand. Problem is that the Tv tuner needs to be on when you turn your car on, before the comand comes on.............otherwise, it will not be recognized by the comand. I am sure this not the complete explanation, but that is what I understand so far. Still not sure why the exact same set upo in my CLK has no issues.
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Ted Baldwin
.......it is rare that two people have the exact experience. I too have a w463 with comand and TV tuner and have battery drain problem. I too have had my Comand replaced by the dealer. It did not solve the problem. As I have come to understand it. Mb's have a 15AMP circuit that is switched and a 30AMP circuit that is constantly on. The wiring harness for the Tv tuner draws current from the 30AMP circuit from the Comand. The Comand turns off when you switch off your car because of the 15circuit that goes to it also. The TV tuner stays on. As I have come to understand, it is the TV tuner that is draining your battery, not the Comand. Problem is that the Tv tuner needs to be on when you turn your car on, before the comand comes on.............otherwise, it will not be recognized by the comand. I am sure this not the complete explanation, but that is what I understand so far. Still not sure why the exact same set upo in my CLK has no issues.
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
........this is the problem with these modifications because, the dealers are relatively hostile to any modifications and as good a job as Steve does, he is unable to be available all the time. So many times you are simply on your own.
I have disconnected my Tv tuner from the 30 circuit and connected it to a switched cuircuit and it seems to work. Nop w my car dies after every 3 days instead of every day. I am hoping a new battery will solve the renmainder of the problem but I am not sure. I hope this helps.
Ted
The TV tuner can be plugged in at any time and it will be recognised by the COMAND as there is a private CAN signal between the two devices which does not get share with the rest of the car.
I dont wish to offend you but some of your assertions do not agree with my experience.
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300ce
..............I am not offended at all. Steve did not instal my Tv tuner and perharps this explains some of the difference and perharps still some of the difference is due to my lack of understanding. My tv tuner is definitely not connected directly to the battery. The wiring harness is from NAV-Tv and the current comes from the back of the Comand. There was a current drain from the Comand which was abolished when the Tv tuner was unpluged. I am still having problems with this, so I am not sure I have the full answer. As far as the the wake up signal, I believe this is from C2 pin 1. As far as the Can signal, my explanaton represents what I was told by the dealer which turned out to be incorrect, because the Tv tuner still works even though it is now connected to a switched circuit. The switched circuit comes from the cigarette lighter immediately below the Comand.
Ted
Ted
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
benzmodz is right...the comand comunicates with the TV tuner through its own CANBUS system...the TV is suposed to be connected directly to a (fused) power source - not to the power coming from the comand that is meant to power up the CD changer (not sure if that is what was used on your setup Ted, but if it was - then that certainly causes problems).
The TV is suposed to switch off with a time delay after the comand has been switched off...
Both comand and TV tuner ARE able to screw up and drain power...but that is easily checked...
You can sit in the car with everything switched off and listen wether the fan in the comand keeps running or not...if it switches off by itself after a while the comand is not to be suspected as the cause for the dead battery...the TV tuner can be simply disconnected...
I will probably be in chicago in october again btw.
greetingz,
The TV is suposed to switch off with a time delay after the comand has been switched off...
Both comand and TV tuner ARE able to screw up and drain power...but that is easily checked...
You can sit in the car with everything switched off and listen wether the fan in the comand keeps running or not...if it switches off by itself after a while the comand is not to be suspected as the cause for the dead battery...the TV tuner can be simply disconnected...
I will probably be in chicago in october again btw.
greetingz,
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From: Chicago
66 230S 111.010 02 G500 463
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
benzmodz is right...the comand comunicates with the TV tuner through its own CANBUS system...the TV is suposed to be connected directly to a (fused) power source - not to the power coming from the comand that is meant to power up the CD changer (not sure if that is what was used on your setup Ted, but if it was - then that certainly causes problems).
The TV is suposed to switch off with a time delay after the comand has been switched off...
Both comand and TV tuner ARE able to screw up and drain power...but that is easily checked...
You can sit in the car with everything switched off and listen wether the fan in the comand keeps running or not...if it switches off by itself after a while the comand is not to be suspected as the cause for the dead battery...the TV tuner can be simply disconnected...
I will probably be in chicago in october again btw.
greetingz,
The TV is suposed to switch off with a time delay after the comand has been switched off...
Both comand and TV tuner ARE able to screw up and drain power...but that is easily checked...
You can sit in the car with everything switched off and listen wether the fan in the comand keeps running or not...if it switches off by itself after a while the comand is not to be suspected as the cause for the dead battery...the TV tuner can be simply disconnected...
I will probably be in chicago in october again btw.
greetingz,
Keep me posted about October!
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by mb230s
Thanks Steve. I'll call the dealer and have them pull the fuse for the TV tuner where it is connected to the battery. Hopefully I can get the power drain resolved without getting a new COMAND and needing re-programming. If my TV tuner is the cause of the power drain what can be done to fix it? A switched source sounds like an option but is the tuner itself defective and is it repairable?
Keep me posted about October!
Keep me posted about October!
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Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
66 230S 111.010 02 G500 463
Steve - I'llneed to see you in October!
Steve,
I've got a new COMAND which solved the problem but disconnected my TV. I'll need my TV activated again. Keep me posted on your USA locations and dates. My set-up blew the dealer techs away once they admitted I didn't cause the problem.
You have any other tricks up your sleeve for the G?
Thanks again!
I've got a new COMAND which solved the problem but disconnected my TV. I'll need my TV activated again. Keep me posted on your USA locations and dates. My set-up blew the dealer techs away once they admitted I didn't cause the problem.
You have any other tricks up your sleeve for the G?
Thanks again!
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300ce
................Sorry to here your TV is now disconnected. Mine may have been caused by a different problem but the symptoms were the same. My problem is solved. Here is the explanation in case it might help you. My TV tuner was definitely getting current from the 30Amp circuit, but turned out not to be the problem. The NAV-TV system which I used comes with a an external programmer which is connected to the back of the comand and is supposed to be powered by the switched 15 amp circuit, but instead was mistakenly connected to the unswitched 30 amp circuit. So when the car is off, the Tv tuner did go off, but this programmer stayed on as it was not part of the CAB-BUs or D2B loop and as a result received no signal to turn off. That is what drained my battery. What then is the use of this programmer. It is a rectangular black box that measures 5cm by 3cm by 2cm. With this programmer, you o not need Star diagnosis program and as a result you do not need a dealer. The programer tells the comand that there is a Tv tuner and the Tv works while in motion. So by connecting the powerof this black box to the switched 15 circuit, Comand comes on when ignition is on and TV works fine.
Ted
Ted
